Beautiful Søby

While it is the smallest of the three main towns on Ærø, Søby takes first place when it comes to delightful surroundings . The town is composed of both small, timberframed houses, and more modern new builds – all located around the harbour, which is just a few minutes’ walk from everything in the town . Søby is also surrounded by a great many stretches of beautiful countryside, sights and attractions, which are all well worth a visit .

TOWN AND HARBOUR IN UNISON The harbour in Søby is a thriving hub of activity . It is the home port of Ærø’s commercial fishing fleet, the site of the biggest workplace on the island (Søby Shipyard) and home to the island’s only 100% electrically powered ferry, the M/F Ellen . As a natural extension to the harbour, you will find the marina and a wonderful sandy beach, with a fine jetty and crystal clear water . There is both a playground and a mini-golf course within easy reach, and the area is perfect for families with children . At the highest point of the town – and just a 3-minute walk from the harbour – there is a wonderful church from 1745, and close by stands Søby Mølle (Mill) which is considered to be the town hallmark .

A NEIGHBOUR TO SKJOLDNÆS LIGHTHOUSE AND GOLF COURSE If you drive north through the village of Haven, you will come to one of the most attractive lighthouses in Denmark: Skjoldnæs Lighthouse, which flashes its warning out across the water at night . Built in 1881, the round building is made of Bornholm granite and stands 22 metres tall . From the top of the tower, there is a magnificent view in clear weather, taking in the Baltic Sea, the waters of the Little Belt and the South Funen Archipelago . One of the most beautiful seaside links in Europe has been laid out in the area around the lighthouse, and you can read more about this golf course on page 25 . In 2022, you can take part in the Ø-Golf (Island Golf) tournament here . See page 25 for details .

PSST! DID YOU KNOW ...

… that the village of Haven (the Garden), which is located 3 km outside Søby, was established when farm owners from Søby were ordered to leave the town by the king, because their farms were located too close to each other? The “lucky ones” were selected by the drawing of lots, and their respective farms were then dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt outside Søby where their animals had previously grazed under a parlour and yard system .

AROUND SØBY Located close to stretches of magnificent countryside, Søby offers plenty of places to spend the night, including Søby Camping with its wonderful sea view . The town also has a well-stocked grocery store and a local baker, and is famous for its strong local dialect . The villages around Søby are home to a variety of small farm shops and great destinations for day trips . For example, hike over Søby Volde (Earthworks) to Vester Mølle (Mill), make the most of the great fishing spots on Næbbet, or take a walk around Vitsø lake and admire the rich birdlife . Whereas Marstal and Ærøskøbing are known for their beach huts, Jørbæk Strand beach on the edge of Søby has a number of fisherman’s cabins that are still in use today . Every summer, Søby provides the setting for the local art college’s free exhibition . And from May to September, the sweet tones of classical music can be heard, when world-class names from the world of classical music give concerts at the manor . Turn to pages 32 and 36 for details .

“So who is Arthur?” you may be asking yourself . This particular Arthur is Arthur Jørgensen (1908–1994) who founded Søby Motorfabrik in 1930 . The business is still operating today under the name of Søby Værft . With its workforce of around 100, the shipyard is the biggest employer on the island and one of the largest shipyards in Denmark for repairs and boatbuilding .

Around 2,000 engines were built at Arthur’s factory from the mid-1940s to the start of the 1960s . When that era came to a close, Arthur started to construct steel ships on a specially built slipway . The first dry dock was established in 1967 and today the shipyard has three . In 1977, the coaster Pia Arre slid down the slipway, marking the start of a new chapter in the history of the yard . In the period up to 1991, the shipyard built a further 30 coasters, fulfilling the needs of the Danish Marine Civil Defence Force . Søby Værft, Arthur Jørgensen’s dream and life’s work, has built fully 111 new vessels to date . The shipyard also took a large step forward in the ongoing technological revolution with the delivery of M/F Ellen – a 100% electrically powered ferry – in 2019 .

Arthur Jørgensen’s spirit is still alive and well in Søby, and the guided tour entitled “In Arthur’s footsteps” is the perfect way to find out much more about the man himself and the development of Søby . The walk is both entertaining and educational . For dates and other details, see visitaeroe .com/events .

IN ARTHUR’S FOOTSTEPS